KENTS HILL — The Maranacook/Winthrop/Spruce Mountain boys lacrosse team is off to a strong start in the Class C playoffs.
Thanks to a stretch of 12 unanswered goals between the first and second quarters, the Hawks cruised to a 16-4 win over MCI/Nokomis at the Alfond & Huard turf fields.
The No. 3 seeded Hawks improve to 10-3 on the season. The No. 14 Warr Dogs finish 1-12.
Tom Struck led the way for the Hawks, scoring eight goals while adding three assists. Seven of his goals came in the first half.
“It’s crazy,” Struck said “We had a rough start to the season, we lost a few good games. It feels good to win.”
The win continues an impressive second half surge for the Hawks, who have won five straight games, and six out of their last eight.
“The senior leadership (has been big),” said Hawks first-year head coach Jake Linkletter. “I think everyone is buying into what we’re doing and it’s a really positive team culture. Everyone is lifting each other up. It’s just a lot of fun to be around.”
MCI/Nokomis goalie Ethan Steiner, couldn’t stop a shot by Maranacook/Winthrop/Spruce Mountain’s Tom Struck during a Class C first-round boys lacrosse game Wednesday in Kents Hills. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
“We’ve had some high intensity practices, man,” Struck said. “Coach is making is be real competitive, doing a lot of scrimmages and practices. It’s nice.”
The Warr Dogs jumped out to an early 2-1 lead, thanks to goals by Hunter Simpson and Jude Van Deventer. But an MCI/Nokomis penalty gave the Hawks a two minute man-down advantage. Maranacook made the most of it, scoring four unanswered goals, and ended the first quarter with a 6-2 lead.
“We came out a little slow today, it was really great to see how we responded,” Linkletter said. “They played together, played really fast. I’m just really proud of these guys.”
Maranacook added seven goals in the second quarter, three from Struck, to go into halftime with a 13-2 lead.
“Every time my defender was sliding from me, I was just creep back a little bit and be wide open (for shots). It was nice. It was perfect.”
Wyatt Lyons had four goals for the Hawks, while Owen Lyons added three goals. Eric Vining had a goal and three assists.
Despite the score, MCI/Nokomis fought throughout the contest. Camden Roy and Simon Van Deventer scored goals in the second half for the Warr Dogs. Goalkeeper Ethan Steiner was impressive in net, making 17 saves.
MCI/Nokomis coach Eric Rowell said he was proud of the effort of his team, which includes 15 new players to the sport this season.
“We’re young and building,” Rowell said. “As far as where they are from where they started and the effort level this year, we’ve been on the bad end of a bunch of them. But they’ve played their guts out for me. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”
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